The Goodwin Tri-Moto is an American powered parachute that was designed and produced by FL Goodwin of Phoenix, Arizona and introduced in 1997.^[1]

The Tri-Moto is out of production.

Design and development

The Tri-Moto had, as a design goal, creating a powered parachute carriage that can be folded up and transported on top of a recreational vehicle, in a small pick-up truck or even carried in a small boat. Folding it takes one person 20 minutes.^[1]

The aircraft was designed to comply with the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles rules as a single seater or two-place trainer, including the category's maximum empty weight of 254 lb (115 kg). The aircraft has a standard empty weight of 205 lb (93 kg). It features a 485 sq ft (45.1 m²) parachute-style high-wing, two-seats-in-tandem, tricycle landing gear and a single 45 hp (34 kW) 2si 430-F engine in pusher configuration.^[1]

The Tri-Moto is built from anodized aluminium tubing. In flight steering is accomplished via foot pedals that actuate the canopy brakes, creating roll and yaw. On the ground the aircraft has lever-controlled nosewheel steering. The main landing gear incorporates spring rod suspension. The aircraft was factory supplied complete and ready-to-fly.^[1]

Specifications (Tri-Moto)

Data from Cliche^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: one passenger
• Wing area: 485 sq ft (45.1 m²)
• Empty weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
• Gross weight: 905 lb (411 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 6 U.S. gallons (23 L; 5.0 imp gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × 2si 430-F twin cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, with 3:1 gearbox reduction drive
• Propellers: 2-bladed wooden, 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) diameter

Performance

• Cruise speed: 26 mph (42 km/h, 23 kn)
• Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s)
• Wing loading: 1.87 lb/sq ft (9.1 kg/m²)

References